LIEN

Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. (LIEN) appears an attractive pick given a noticeable improvement in the company's earnings outlook. The stock has been a strong performer lately, and the momentum might continue with analysts still raising their earnings estimates for the company. The upward trend in estimate revisions for this company reflects growing optimism of analysts on its earnings prospects, which should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. Our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- has this insight at its core. The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008. For Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc., strong agreement among the covering analysts in revising earnings estimates upward has resulted in meaningful improvement in consensus estimates for the next quarter and full year. The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate: The company is expected to earn $0.40 per share for the current quarter, which represents a year-over-year change of +17.7%. Over the last 30 days, one estimate has moved higher for CHICAGO ATL BDC compared to no negative revisions. As a result, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased 8.11%. For the full year, the company is expected to earn $1.64 per share, representing a year-over-year change of +13.1%. There has been an encouraging trend in estimate revisions for the current year as well. Over the past month, one estimate has moved up for CHICAGO ATL BDC versus no negative revisions. This has pushed the consensus estimate 10.07% higher. Thanks to promising estimate revisions, CHICAGO ATL BDC currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The Zacks Rank is a tried-and-tested rating tool that helps investors effectively harness the power of earnings estimate revisions and make the right investment decision.You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Our research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500. Investors have been betting on CHICAGO ATL BDC because of...

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Release Date: May 14, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Chicago Atlantic BDC Inc (NASDAQ:LIEN) reported a record net investment income of $10 million or $0.44 per share for the first quarter of 2026. The company funded a record $93.9 million across seven portfolio companies, including three new borrowers, demonstrating strong execution on its pipeline. Chicago Atlantic BDC Inc (NASDAQ:LIEN) announced a $0.34 dividend, marking the seventh consecutive quarter at that rate. The company's weighted average yield on debt investments was 15.8%, significantly higher than the average public BDC yield of 10.8%. 100% of the debt portfolio is senior secured, with 94% either fixed rate or floating rate at their respective floor, providing insulation against interest rate drops. The company recognized a net unrealized loss of $1.4 million due to the impact of widening spreads. Net expenses increased to $6.7 million from $5.9 million in the previous quarter, driven by higher interest expenses. The portfolio is under-levered with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18 times, which is significantly below the BDC average of 1.3 times, potentially limiting growth. The non-cannabis origination pipeline grew significantly, but the actual transaction volume remains uncertain. Despite favorable regulatory changes, the anticipated increase in M&A activity in the cannabis sector has not materialized as expected. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Sign with LIEN. Is LIEN fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Q: Can you provide more details on the $500 million shelf registration and the type of rates you might expect compared to your current revolver? A: We filed the shelf registration primarily to raise debt in the future. It's too early to specify the rates we might secure or the timing for raising capital. - Peter Sack, CEO Q: What leverage level are you comfortable with, given the BDC average is 1.3? A: We expect to stay well below the BDC average leverage level. - Peter Sack, CEO Q: Can you provide more insight into the growth of the non-cannabis pipeline and whether you expect to skew more towards cannabis lending given favorable regulatory changes? A: The non-cannabis origination pipeline grew significantly, but it's hard to predict actual tra...

Interested in Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. Chicago Atlantic BDC posted record first-quarter 2026 net investment income of $10 million, or $0.44 per share, and kept its quarterly dividend at $0.34 for the seventh straight quarter. The company said portfolio growth accelerated, with $93.9 million funded across seven companies and the portfolio reaching its largest size ever; all debt investments were senior secured and none of the loans were on non-accrual. Management highlighted strong liquidity and cautious leverage, with about $51.5 million of liquidity available after quarter-end and a debt-to-equity ratio of just 0.18x. It also filed a $500 million shelf registration to expand future financing flexibility, while cannabis policy changes could support borrower credit quality over time. Chicago Atlantic BDC (NASDAQ:LIEN) reported record first-quarter 2026 net investment income as management pointed to strong loan deployments, a senior secured portfolio and limited exposure to interest-rate declines as key drivers of performance. Chief Executive Officer Peter Sack said the company’s net investment income reached a record $10 million, or $0.44 per share, for the quarter. The company also announced a $0.34 dividend, marking the seventh consecutive quarter at that level. → Rocket Lab Just Hit a New All-Time High—Time to Buy or Let It Breathe? “Chicago Atlantic BDC’s record results this quarter demonstrate the benefits of our differentiated strategy,” Sack said, noting that the company remains focused primarily on lending to the cannabis industry, where he said competition remains limited. During the quarter, Chicago Atlantic BDC funded a record $93.9 million across seven portfolio companies, including three new borrowers. Sack said the company used additional capacity on its credit facility to grow the portfolio to its largest level in company history. → MP Materials Is Quietly Building a Rare Earth Powerhouse Interim Chief Financial Officer Thomas Geoffroy said the company had 40 portfolio company investments as of quarter-end, with 24% of the portfolio invested in non-cannabis companies across multiple sectors. The average credit investment size was approximately 2.3% of the debt portfolio at fair value. Geoffroy said the gross weighted average yield of the company’s debt investment portfolio was approximately 15.8%, in line...

NEW YORK, May 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. (“the “Company”) (NASDAQ: LIEN), a specialty finance company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company, today announced that the Company’s board of directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.34 per share for the quarter ending June 30, 2026. The following are the key dates for the dividends: About Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. The Company is a specialty finance company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Company’s investment objective is to maximize risk-adjusted returns on equity for its stockholders by investing primarily in direct loans to privately held middle-market companies, with a primary focus on cannabis companies. The Company is managed by Chicago Atlantic BDC Advisers, LLC, an investment manager focused on the cannabis industry and other niche or underfollowed sectors. For more information, please visit Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc.. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company, its current and prospective portfolio investments, its industry, its beliefs and opinions, and its assumptions. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “targets,” “projects,” “outlook,” “potential,” “predicts” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified i...

Crescent Capital BDC (CCAP) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.42 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.41 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.45 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +2.44%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.44 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.45, delivering a surprise of +2.27%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times. Crescent Capital BDC, which belongs to the Zacks Financial - SBIC & Commercial Industry industry, posted revenues of $37.91 million for the quarter ended March 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.34%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $42.13 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Crescent Capital BDC shares have lost about 5.9% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.1%. While Crescent Capital BDC has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Crescent Capital BDC was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see t...

NEW YORK, May 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. (“LIEN” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: LIEN), a specialty finance company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. First Quarter 2026 Highlights Total gross investment income of $16.7 million Net investment income of $10.0 million, or $0.44 per weighted average share outstanding Total investment portfolio of $364.0 million at fair value, an increase of $30.7 million as compared to the prior quarter Net asset value (“NAV”) per share was $13.33 on March 31, 2026, a $0.03 increase as compared to the prior quarter Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.34 per share for the quarter ending June 30, 2026, payable on July 10, 2026 to shareholders of record on June 26, 2026 Funded seven portfolio companies with $93.9 million in aggregate par value As of March 31, 2026, there were 22,820,590 common shares issued and outstanding on a basic and fully diluted basis Peter Sack, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, “Chicago Atlantic BDC delivered record results this quarter, demonstrating the benefits of our differentiated strategy. While the broader private credit markets have experienced pressure regarding portfolio performance, dividend coverage concerns and interest rate uncertainty, Chicago Atlantic BDC has become stronger this quarter, funding a record level of $93.9 million of investments and growing the portfolio to a new peak of $364.0 million. We also generated record net investment income per share of $0.44, while maintaining a weighted average yield of 15.8%, well above the industry averages.” Mr. Sack continued, “We remain confident in the opportunity set for our differentiated model of self-originating direct lending opportunities to cannabis and lower middle market companies. A recent policy change by the Federal government to reschedule medical cannabis represents the most significant federal policy shift in decades and is a notable policy inflection point that we expect will enhance borrower credit quality and improve industry fundamentals over time. We remain conservative in our strategic execution but are encouraged by the recent momentum.” Portfolio and Investment Activity As of March 31, 2026, the Company’s investment portfolio had an aggregate fair value of ap...

Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. (LIEN) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.44 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.36 per share. This compares to a loss of $0.34 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +22.22%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.36 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.36, delivering no surprise. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times. CHICAGO ATL BDC, which belongs to the Zacks Financial - SBIC & Commercial Industry industry, posted revenues of $16.7 million for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 17.54%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $11.92 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. CHICAGO ATL BDC shares have lost about 12.2% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.8%. While CHICAGO ATL BDC has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for CHICAGO ATL BDC was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list o...

Gladstone Capital (GLAD) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.52 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.49 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.5 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +6.84%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this real estate investment trust would post earnings of $0.48 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.5, delivering a surprise of +4.17%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. Gladstone Capital, which belongs to the Zacks Financial - SBIC & Commercial Industry industry, posted revenues of $25.99 million for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.18%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $21.57 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Gladstone Capital shares have lost about 5.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 6%. While Gladstone Capital has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Gladstone Capital was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You...

NEW YORK, April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: LIEN), a specialty finance company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company, today announced details for the release of its financial results for the first quarter of 2026. The Company plans to release its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 before the market opens on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and host a conference call and live audio webcast, both open for the general public to hear, later that day at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The number to call for the conference call is 833-630-1956 (international callers: 412-317-1837). The live audio webcast will be available on the Company’s website at investors.chicagoatlanticbdc.com. A replay of the call will be available at investors.chicagoatlanticbdc.com by the end of day on May 14, 2026. Call Details – Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. First Quarter 2026 Financial Results: When: Thursday, May 14, 2026 Time: 9:00 a.m. ET Webcast Live Stream: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/rpkq9wzs Dial in: 833-630-1956, (international callers: 412-317-1837) Replay: investors.chicagoatlanticbdc.com About Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. The Company is a specialty finance company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Company’s investment objective is to maximize risk-adjusted returns on equity for its stockholders by investing primarily in direct loans to privately held middle-market companies, with a primary focus on cannabis companies. The Company is managed by Chicago Atlantic BDC Advisers, LLC, an investment manager focused on the cannabis industry and other niche or underfollowed sectors. For more information, please visit chicagoatlanticbdc.com. Contact: Tripp Sullivan Lisa Kampf SCR Partners, LLC [email protected]

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Release Date: March 19, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Chicago Atlantic BDC Inc (NASDAQ:LIEN) reported a net investment income of $0.36 per share for Q4 2025 and $1.45 for the full year, showcasing the potential of their business model. The company funded $31.7 million across seven new investments during Q4, effectively utilizing additional capacity on their credit facility. Chicago Atlantic BDC Inc (NASDAQ:LIEN) maintains a unique focus on lending to cannabis companies and underserved lower middle markets, providing distinct credit opportunities. Their portfolio is 99.5% senior secured, with a weighted average yield on debt investments of 15.8%, significantly higher than the average public BDC. The company has no non-accruals compared to an industry average of 3.3%, indicating strong credit performance. The broader BDC market was impacted by negative sentiment, with many BDCs trading below net asset value by the end of 2025. Investors are concerned about potential dividend cuts and losses in existing loan books due to perceived looser underwriting standards. The drop in the Fed funds rate in December has raised fears about its impact on earnings and dividends. There is limited exposure to software receivables factoring, but concerns remain about the broader private credit market pressures. The company faces challenges due to the ongoing ambiguity in federal cannabis policy, which continues to limit investment and create uncertainty. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Signs with SBDS. Is LIEN fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Q: Can you clarify if the $732 million pipeline is for the entire Chicago Atlantic Group or specifically for LIEN? Also, how has the pipeline grown since the last quarter? A: The $732 million pipeline is for the entire platform. Last quarter, we reported approximately $600 million, so there has been a significant increase to the current $732 million. (Unidentified_5) Q: How has the executive order on cannabis rescheduling affected discussions with potential borrowers? A: The rescheduling has brought optimism to the industry, leading to increased eagerness for consolidation and investment. Larger players are looking to execute acquisitions before rescheduling becomes effective, and operat...

Management attributes performance to a highly differentiated strategy focusing on the underserved U.S. cannabis industry and lower middle markets, which provides uncorrelated credit opportunities. The portfolio is intentionally insulated from broader private credit pressures, with only 3% exposure to the software industry and zero exposure to recent high-profile fraud in syndicated facilities. Yield superiority is driven by limited lending competition in niche sectors, resulting in a 15.8% weighted-average yield compared to the 10.8% BDC industry average. Strategic asset protection is maintained through a 99.5% senior secured portfolio composition, significantly higher than the industry average of 24.9% for subordinated or equity-linked investments. Interest rate resilience is a core structural feature, with 73% of the portfolio at par being either fixed-rate or at floating-rate floors, limiting NII impact from rate drops. The company maintains a conservative leverage profile with a 0.08x debt-to-equity ratio, providing significant 'offensive' capacity compared to peers currently managing defensive positions. The potential federal rescheduling of cannabis to Schedule III is expected to dramatically increase borrower cash flow and equity valuations, though the company manages the business assuming no regulatory change. Management anticipates increased M&A and capital expenditure activity in the cannabis sector, which is already expanding the 2026 deal pipeline. The platform reports a $732.0 million total pipeline, with $616.0 million in cannabis and $116.0 million in non-cannabis opportunities as of quarter end. Future growth will prioritize disciplined sourcing and first-lien senior secured structures over chasing competitive, sponsor-driven deals that may compromise underwriting standards. Guidance assumes continued utilization of the $100.0 million credit facility and potential exploration of unsecured financing to support strategic deployment. Net investment income was impacted by the absence of $2.0 million in one-time fees from unscheduled repayments that occurred in the previous quarter. The company reported zero nonaccruals as of year-end, contrasting with a 3.3% industry average, which management cites as evidence of rigorous internal due diligence. A significant $38.3 million refinance for the company's largest borrower was executed as a bespoke 'fi...